Gordon Hayward vs. Gerald Henderson: Hayward is emerging as somewhat of a star. He’s already had games this season of 30 and 29 points. Henderson will be a busy guy guarding him.

Observations

The home loss to the Jazz feels like one of those games the Bobcats might really regret if they fall to make the playoffs.

Ex-Jazz player Al Jefferson scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in that first game against Utah since Jefferson signed with the Bobcats. Enes Kanter particularly struggled to guard Jefferson.

Jazz coach Ty Corbin acknowledged before that game Bobcats coach Steve Clifford had devised better defensive schemes to put Jefferson in situations where he could succeed at that end of the floor.

This is the first true Western road trip of the season. It gets much tougher after this with games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Tap-ins

Utah is the second-worst defensive rebounding team in the NBA.

Jazz opponents are shooting 47 percent from the field, second-highest in the league.

Utah’s Trey Burke’s scoring average – 13.4 ppg – is second only to the 76ers’ Michael Carter-Williams among rookies.

Did you know?

Hayward is on a pace to finish this season averaging more than 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Why is that significant? Because only other Jazz player to do that was Hall of Famer Pete Maravich.